Q:

Can I be at risk for lung cancer even though Ive never smoked cigarettes?

A:

Yes. Although smoking cigarettes is by far the biggest risk factor in terms of lung and bronchus cancers, there are several other factors that can contribute to people developing the disease. For example, even if you weren’t the one smoking, exposure to second-hand smoke can increase one’s risk of getting lung cancer. Even prolonged exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of developing cancer of the lung and bronchus.

Other factors, such as a family history of lung cancer, can make the chances of developing the disease greater. Not only are those people at increased risk of one day having lung cancer, they are at risk at much younger ages than people without a family history of the disease.